Funny how a lot of guys were hating and hoping for AOA to get CUT but most fail to realize that he was only 20yrs old from a small college when drafted (injured) last year. He's definitely got speed and, in my opinion, showed up in preseason this year. And because he was drafted INJURED last year, he did NOT have the benefit of OTA's and Training Camp last year which is normally good for 1,500 reps. With this year's NFL STRIKE, he got maybe 500 reps and some preseason snaps but he was still only 21yrs old. Next year (after a full season of strength training with Woicik), he'll be 22yrs old and MORE stronger, faster, and 'instinctive' with the benefit of 1,500 snaps after participating in OTA's and Training Camp. I believer both AOA and Mario Butler (who's only 185lbs) will come back 'changed' players with more muscle and explosiveness. They will BOTH be competing next year for either starting or backup roles. And, we all know that both Sensabaugh and Elam have ONLY 1yr contracts and TNEW is probably gone after this year.

If your going to base your whole little lament/apologetic around AOA's age, at least get it right.

AOA was born 4/10/1988, and the '10 Draft was in late April, that made AOA 22-years old at the time he was drafted.

Did you have any idea that that Tackle, Veldeheer, was going to be so good so quickly?

Actually I was kind of surprised by it.

I figured he was a 3 year developmental guy but he really settled in after his 3rd game. He still has a lot of technical work to do, he gets by right now with his athletic ability but one of his strongest attributes is his work ethic and intelligence so I have no doubt he's going to be a hell of a OT in this league.

Bio: Three year starter awarded all-Conference honors since his sophomore season and named to numerous all-American teams the past two years. Senior receiving totals included 104/1368/11, after junior totals of 77/1076/6.

Positive: Nice sized receiver that dominated the lower level of competition he played at. Quickly releases off the line, comes back to the ball and works to make himself an available target. Extends his hands, offers the quarterback a nice target and looks the ball in. Effectively follows blocks running after the catch, shows strength handling the ball and the ability to pick up positive yardage. Nicely tracks to the deep ball and makes the difficult, over the shoulder reception in stride. Gets up in a crowd or makes the tough catch with defenders draped on him. Consistent hand catcher that shows a large degree of reliability.

Negative: Shows a marginal burst to his game and not a vertical receiver. Average route runner that tends to drift after exiting breaks. Marginal quickness transitioning from making the catch to running after the reception.

Analysis: Holmes was a terrific small school receiver that continually overmatched the competition he played against. He struggled running routes at the combine yet has the size and speed as well as the pass catching skills necessary to be a fourth or fifth receiver in the NFL once he gets accustomed to the competition.

I figured he was a 3 year developmental guy but he really settled in after his 3rd game. He still has a lot of technical work to do, he gets by right now with his athletic ability but one of his strongest attributes is his work ethic and intelligence so I have no doubt he's going to be a hell of a OT in this league.

Funny how a lot of guys were hating and hoping for AOA to get CUT but most fail to realize that he was only 20yrs old from a small college when drafted (injured) last year. He's definitely got speed and, in my opinion, showed up in preseason this year. And because he was drafted INJURED last year, he did NOT have the benefit of OTA's and Training Camp last year which is normally good for 1,500 reps. With this year's NFL STRIKE, he got maybe 500 reps and some preseason snaps but he was still only 21yrs old. Next year (after a full season of strength training with Woicik), he'll be 22yrs old and MORE stronger, faster, and 'instinctive' with the benefit of 1,500 snaps after participating in OTA's and Training Camp. I believer both AOA and Mario Butler (who's only 185lbs) will come back 'changed' players with more muscle and explosiveness. They will BOTH be competing next year for either starting or backup roles. And, we all know that both Sensabaugh and Elam have ONLY 1yr contracts and TNEW is probably gone after this year.